es tut sich nichts
Translation
nothing is happening, nothing's going on, nothing changes
Examples
Ich warte, aber es tut sich nichts.
I'm waiting, but nothing is happening.
Trotz der neuen Regeln tut sich nichts.
Despite the new rules, nothing is changing.
Grammar Patterns
es tut sich nichts nothing is happening I've been waiting for an hour, but nothing is happening.
Similar Words
Stillstand herrschen (to be at a standstill), nichts geht voran (nothing is progressing)
Etymology
Made up of 'es' (it) + 'tut' (from 'tun', to do) + 'sich' (reflexive pronoun) + 'nichts' (nothing). Literally 'it does nothing to itself'.
Memory Tips
Picture a pot of water on a stove that just won't boil. You're waiting, but 'es tut sich nichts'—nothing is happening.